Cleveland Heights city administrator cites teamwork, cohesion in update to council

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Throughout his first six months on the job, City Administrator Michael Reese says it’s been “very much a team effort” working toward better services for residentsHe issued an extended “Reese Report” to council on Sept. 8, citing positive changes and continuing challenges, as well as ongoing opportunities and initiatives.“The city faces a daunting task of implementing a consent decree, as required by theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)," Reese noted, referring to the federally-mandated upgrade of the city’s antiquated sewer system.Reese has some experience in this area, dating back to his tenure in Columbus, where he served 19 years in city government, nearly half of those as Mayor Michael Coleman’s chief of staff.“While this is a 50-year project, we are focused on projects between 2026 and 2036, which will cost millions of dollars and will likely result in sewer rate increases in 2027 and beyond,” Reese said.Reese plans to “engage City Council and educate residents on this matter,” with the city previously easing sewer bill rate shock with $18 million in sewer improvements funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).Fiscal outlookSome other financial challenges are internal, mainly holdovers from the previous administration, which saw Reese’s three predecessors come and go in as many years.In addition to bringing Reese on board in February, first-term Mayor Jim Petras also hired Joe Brodzinski as finance director.“He and his team have made substantial progress on a number of fronts, such as bringing the city current with its financial reporting requirements,” Reese said.That lapse led to a three-year backlog on audits due to the state and a suspension of the city’s previous “A1” bond rating for the past 18 months by Moody’s Investors Service.With the 2023 audit released and 2024 financial statements filed in July, the city should have its 2025 figures finalized within the next several weeks.“With the above work, we are hopeful to reinstate our bond rating in early 2027,” Reese told Petras and council in his 11-page report.In addition to completing reconciliation of ARPA funds by the year-end federal deadline, the administration continues to prepare council for 2027 budget hearings scheduled Nov. 4-6.“We recognize that a 5-year capital plan is needed for planning and investment purposes,” Reese added. “The finance director will work with departments to tackle this issue in 2027.”Sustainability effortsWorking with the Cleveland Heights Green Team, the city launched an expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling pilot program, believed to be the first of its kind in Ohio.The EPS program is free to all residents, with more than 500 signed up for the remaining four of 12 vendor pickups.The city also has a contract with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) to install eight electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers in 2027, four each at City Hall and the Community Center. A pilot composting program became permanent in June, expanding the food-scrap compost program to encompass all four Rust Belt Riders drop-off sites, available to Cleveland Heights residents at no cost.“To date, there are 989 households participating in the program -- twice the number that enrolled when the program began in September 2025,” Reese noted.Last year, 13,408 pounds of compost were collected, with nearly 75,000 pounds recycled so far in 2026.Power A Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) completed a Tree Canopy Assessment, and the City has issued a request for proposals (RFP) on a Tree Inventory and Urban Forest Master Plan.Community relationsIn March, the city hired ETC Institute to conduct a resident satisfaction survey evaluating the scope of work and delivery of services across multiple departments.“The biggest takeaways were that residents were most dissatisfied with the state of our roads and building code enforcement,” Reese said.“They were most satisfied with our Public Safety departments and solid waste services,” he added.The administration will take those survey results into consideration while it drafts the 2027budget.Officials also expect to have a new and enhanced city website going online in early 2027.In the Mayor’s Action Center, two staff members are being trained to assist Todd Walburn, “filling a gap that we recognized earlier this year,” Reese said.Public WorksIn response to resident dissatisfaction and with council’s cil’s encouragement and financial support, the city more than doubled its road repaving budget from $2.4 million in 2025 to $5.1 million this year.“The investment has already led to marked improvements, allowing Public Works to nearly triple the number of streets completely repaved from 13 last year to 38 in 2026,” Reese said.The city also increased its snow plow fleet from nine to 12.“We look forward to seeing how this addition improves our coverage and efficiency,” Reese said.He added that Public Works also secured a third pothole crew and plans to increase the number of upcoming loose-leaf collection crews from two to three.Another challenge for the city has been its elevators.Maintenance contracts for the City Hall, the Community Center, and Coventry parking garage elevators are not serving the city well.“Years of neglect and irregular maintenance have put us in a precarious position,” Reese said.“Our plan is to have one contract in 2027 that coversevery elevator -- with customer service from the vendor being of utmost importance."Reese also mentioned efforts targeted at better communication and coordination within and across departments, which he described as “breaking down silos.”Overall, it reflects a team approach with regular meetings -- including both council and the mayor’s cabinet.“These have created a sense of cohesion and camaraderie across departments, facilitating collaboration and communication,” Reese said.That in turn “empowers staff to move forward with business since they’re able to get prompt feedback and/or approval.”Council President Tony Cuda said he was struck by the clarity of the report, along with Reese’s explanation of his role in the city.“And I think having that clarity is part of the reason for the progress being made, which I think has been substantial,” Cuda added.Reese also touched on numerous other topics including the long-awaited demolition of the Hillside Dairy and the city’s interest in developing the adjoining “Mayfield Triangle.”“We have made some great strides during the first half of 2026, but there is a lot of work to do in the months and years ahead,” Reese noted.Read more from the Sun Press.